SCAG Honors 2 IE Projects with its 2022 Sustainability Awards

The cities of Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga have been announced as winners of the 2022 Sustainability Awards by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

In all, seven innovative projects across the six-county region took home the prestigious Sustainability Awards during ceremonies at SCAG’s Regional Conference and General Assembly May 5 in Palm Desert.

The City of Riverside was honored in the category of Active, Healthy and Safe Communities for its Riverside PACT project, which provides a safe, interconnected set of transportation options that promotes healthy, active mobility options for all ages and abilities. Special care was given throughout PACT’s development to prioritize outcomes in underrepresented communities. This comprehensive plan outlines four core elements of PACT: Pedestrian Target Safeguarding Plan, an Active Transportation Plan, a Complete Streets Ordinance, and a Trails Master Plan.

Rancho Cucamonga was honored in the category of Efficient and Sustainable Land Use for its PlanRC General Plan Update. Each chapter of the updated plan is rooted in core values identified by the community as most important and aspirational – health, stewardship and equity – with an expectation that the future can be harnessed to improve on the past. With a focus on reducing greenhouse gases to nearly 50% of 2018 levels by 2040, the city planned infill development to align with public transportation to support new development. Additional mobility choices in the form of new bike paths compliments miles of natural trails created for recreation.

“We’re honored to present these awards, which recognize some truly groundbreaking work when it comes to improving the quality of life across our region. As these projects illustrate, Southern California leads the nation in integrating technology and creative thinking to build healthier, more vibrant communities,” said SCAG Immediate Past President Clint Lorimore, Mayor of Eastvale.

In addition to the two IE-specific projects being recognized, other honorees directly impact San Bernardino and Riverside counties. These include the winner for Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability – the Volvo LIGHTS (Low Impact Green Heavy Transport) project, a partnership between the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Volvo and 12 other public and private entities to develop a blueprint to introduce zero-tailpipe emission battery-electric trucks and equipment into the market. During the project, which ran from 2019 to 2022, the partners demonstrated a range of innovations that over a 10-year period would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 30,200 metric tons.

In the category of Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) is being honored for its Metrolink Trains Run on Fossil-Free Fuels Project. With its 538 miles of track and 62 stations, the nation’s third-largest commuter rail network plays an essential role in Southern California's transportation system. Transitioning Metrolink to all modes of renewable energy sources to reduce emissions will help the SCAG region reach clean air goals and provide a cleaner way to travel for customers and those who keep the trains running. By using renewable diesel fuel, Metrolink trains reduce harmful pollutants while decreasing carbon dioxide by up to 80%.

“We congratulate all of our award winners, whose work represents the best of the best when it comes to meeting our sustainability goals and improving quality of life. Innovative projects such as these are critical to the health, welfare and economic viability of our region,” said Kome Ajise, SCAG Executive Director.